New aircraft mechanics course tailored to meet Thai AirAsia needs

Breaking News July 03, 2017 18:06

By The Nation

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Thai AirAsia has signed a collaborative agreement with Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep and Bangkok Aviation Centre (BAC) for the provision of a development programme for aircraft mechanics, which will offer an intensive one-year course and the opportunity to be immediately employed by the airline.

Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, said on Monday that the airline

was targeting to hire an additional 100 more mechanics over the next three years to meet high high demand for experts in a growing sector.

While the airline has been open to recruiting graduates in the field for some time, it has been struggling to find qualified personnel that fit its demand, he said.

To smoothen this bottleneck, Thai AirAsia initiated collaboration with Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, an institution that already provides a European

Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standard aircraft-mechanic course, as well as BAC, a leading aviation training provider, he added.

Sathit Puttachaiyong, president of Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep, said the institute possessed a clear plan for producing aircraft maintenance personnel and its faculty had been accredited according to EASA PART 147 standards.

The new course with Thai AirAsia and BAC will be the university’s second for the maintenance for aircraft, he said.

Wing commander Piya Tregalnon, CEO of BAC, said the collaboration was the centre’s first training and educational course in aircraft mechanics.

Participants in the “Student Aircraft Mechanic” course will receive hands-on practice at BAC, he added.

Those accepted will study fundamental aircraft maintenance at the university for six months, before engaging in practical training at BAC for three months and then receiving on-the-job training with Thai AirAsia for a further three months.

Students will receive a salary from the airline like other employees during their training.